Diagnostic testing plays an important role for parasite management in livestock. The increased number of reports of drug resistance has led to a ’test don’t guess’ approach being advocated by animal health experts that promotes diagnostic testing for appropriate targeted treatments to minimise selection for drug resistance, which can also reduce environmental exposure to drug residues.
Fasciolosis is a major parasitic disease of livestock globally, significantly impacting animal productivity, contributing to the challenges of efficient and sustainable livestock production. It is caused by two parasites, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica that are found across the world in temperate and tropical climates, respectively. However, there are also areas where the two species overlap, such as across Africa, resulting in hybrid forms with potential for increased genetic diversity that may impact the spread and severity of disease.
Liver fluke diagnostic tools play important roles in parasite control strategies on farm, as well as parasite prevalence studies that determine which Fasciola spp. are circulating, allowing the potential spread of infection/disease to be monitored within both animals and people. A range of tools are available, detecting the presence of the parasite in faeces, detecting the host response to infection via circulating anti-Fasciola antibodies and molecular assays. To date, commercially available serological diagnostic assays are focused on F. hepatica, which may be impacted on in areas where F. hepatica co-exists with F. gigantica, resulting in potential species hybrids, negating effective diagnostic testing.
The aim of this PhD project is to evaluate the impact of Fasciola species-specific differences on diagnostic tools using a dual comparative bioinformatic approach of F. hepatica and F. gigantica omics datasets and laboratory analyses of serological assays.
Key areas of investigation will include:
a. Evaluation of Fasciola species-specific differences will be carried out using a comparative genomics approach at the genome and gene level. Intraspecies differences across the Fasciola spp. genomes will be determined, with a specific focus on the nuclear molecular markers. This data will also be used to identify and develop novel markers for Fasciola species determination. Bioinformatic analyses will also be carried out to explore the diversity within Fasciola spp. gene families, including the cathepsin peptidases that form the basis of several serological diagnostic assays
b. Current diagnostic tools, including a new lateral flow test developed at the University of Liverpool, will be evaluated using samples collected from F. gigantica-infected animals from fieldwork in Africa. Based on the results from the bioinformatics part of the project, a serological ELISA will be developed and evaluated for pan Fasciola spp. diagnosis.
This PhD project is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Under supervision by this collaborative team, training will be provided in a diverse range of techniques related to molecular biology, diagnostics, bioinformatic analysis and field work in Africa.
Primary supervisor: Dr Krystyna Cwiklinski https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/krystyna-cwiklinski
Co-supervisors:
Prof Jane Hodgkinson https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/jane-hodgkinson
Dr Andrew Jackson https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/a-jackson
Dr James LaCourse https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/about/people/dr-james-lacourse
Eligibility
Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science, engineering or technology.
International applicants
We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.
International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our English Language requirements page to find out more.
Before you Apply
Browse our BBSRC NWD in Bioscience projects and discover one you're passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.
Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.
How to Apply
All applications should be submitted through the University of Manchester application portal.
Apply directly via this link, and select BBSRC DTP PhD as the programme of study. You may apply for up to two projects from the programme via this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application listing both project titles and the names of both main supervisors in the relevant sections.
Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Applications should not be made through the University of Liverpool’s application portal.
You must submit your application form along with the required supporting documents by the deadline date. You can select up to two projects on one single application, noting the title of each project from the advert and the supervisor name. This can include two projects from one institution or a project from each institution.
Once you have completed your application, you'll receive a confirmation email.
Deadline: Sunday 7th December, midnight (UK time)
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Liverpool BBSRC team for advice at bbsrcdtp@liverpool.ac.uk
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Liverpool, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on our website.